Climate change has already impacted communities across the US, however, even with sophisticated models, the where, when, and how severe future impacts will be is still uncertain. For this reason, some municipalities, especially those that lack staff or funds, may be hesitant to undertake highly specific climate resilient projects or implement climate change policies. “No
Planning for Trees Improves Climate Resiliency As the climate changes and the earth warms, extreme heat days (temperatures over 95°F) have increased in frequency and wildfires fueled by dry vegetation burn bigger and for longer, negatively impacting air quality both locally and nationally. While unable to completely cancel out the impacts of an extreme heat
In a changing world subject to ever-increasing climate-related hazards, including increased air pollution, extreme heat, sea-level rise, and wildfires, planning and developing projects with a consideration of environmental justice is crucial. Per the EPA, environmental justice (EJ) is “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement” of all people regarding development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws,
Community wildfire protection planning plays a key role in protecting the millions of homes throughout California located on land designated as Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). The U.S. Forest Service defines the WUI as places where humans and their development come into contact with (within a half mile of) wildland fuel sources. With 32% of housing in
Record-high temperatures and rainfall levels approaching the record low in California have fueled devastating fire seasons that begin earlier and earlier each year. In an effort to prevent increasingly catastrophic wildfires, California Governor Jerry Brown signed several bills in September that prioritize land management activities focused on forest health, fuel management, and fire prevention. Senate
California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires all groundwater basins designated as medium or high priority to develop a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to achieve sustainable management by 2040-2042. Basin priorities are assigned by the California Department of Water Resources based on multiple factors, including population, land use, and basin conditions. Low or very low
Developing groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) requires solid technical analysis and a skillful stakeholder outreach and consensus program to successfully comply with California’s newly adopted Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Water purveyors, farmers, landowners, and resource agencies must determine the right amount of groundwater production for agricultural output on thousands of acres while maintaining municipal supply
In 2016, several laws that concern the environment have come into effect in California. Do you know which ones may impact you? Air Quality The state Air Resources Board will gain two members—by legislative appointment—who will represent communities suffering from air pollution. Drought Cities and counties are no longer able to ban residents from removing
Urban forests are the backbone of regional landscapes and represent a substantial natural resource investment. The 177 million trees in California’s urban forests are at risk as water cuts significantly reduce irrigation that is vital to mostly non-native, ornamental trees. Tens of millions of native trees in California’s wildlands have already died due to the
California’s extended drought has put native oaks into survival mode as soils dry out at greater depths and water becomes less accessible. The trees conserve water use by decreasing transpiration and reducing the amount of tissue requiring water. At this stage, native oak trees are more susceptible to secondary pests and disease, invaders that attack
